ATWAL TRAILS LEADING TRIO BY ONE AT HONMA HONG KONG OPEN PRESENTED BY AMUNDI
Hong Kong - India’s Arjun Atwal stayed one shot back of first round leaders Yusaku Miyazato of Japan, Australia’s Jason Scrivener and England’s Aaron Rai after he signed for an opening four-under-par 66 at the HONMA Hong Kong Open presented by Amundi on Thursday.
Atwal took the clubhouse lead in the morning but was dislodged from the top of the leaderboard when the trio made their moves at the Hong Kong Golf Club under more favourable weather conditions in the afternoon.
Based in Florida in the United States, the 45-year-old flew into Hong Kong ready to put up a performance befitting of his reputation as one of Asia’s golf legends.
Atwal, who is no stranger to success having won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2003 and enjoying multiple victories across Asia, Europe and the United States, returned with a flawless card that was highlighted by four birdies on holes one, three, four and 17.
Australia’s Sam Brazel, who won the Hong Kong Open in 2016, was also in the mix after carding a 68 where the only blemish on his card came at the par-three eight where he suffered a bogey-four.
Brazel is bunched in tied-ninth place that also includes Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, India’s Khalin Joshi and compatriot Scott Hend, who also won the event in 2014.
Major winner Patrick Reed of the United States meanwhile had a round to forget after opening his campaign with a disappointing 75 while Spain’s Sergio Garcia signed for a 70 to stay five shots back of the leaders.
